Architectural Wood Turnings

Regardless of your artistic ability and an eye for appealing layouts, interior designing jobs are generally a slow climb up a ladder through competitive ranks. Professional designers need to be able to sketch their ideas, convince others their designs will be the best of all choices and understand the legal aspects of different building codes before moving into interior design jobs. Even with a solid education, it takes experience to move up the designing ladder.

It can takes years of study in architecture as well as color coordination and fabric knowledge to begin to understand the techniques involved in interior design. Jobs in the field are reserved for those with the appropriate education as well as a learned eye and the ability to put it all together. Those with interior designer jobs may also benefit from the use of computer aided drafting (CAD) programs used to create rendering in two and three dimensions of what the structure will look like when completed.

The designer will also choose furniture, colors and materials that go with their design while pleasing the client. Creating a space that is not only appealing but functional and offers accessibility. When looking for interior designer jobs the applicant will have to prove their basic abilities, as well as their ability to work with others and coordinate efforts of a wide range of professionals.

Full Designs Require Working With Other Trades

During interior design jobs that require full remodeling, the designer will be possibly working with electricians, plumbers, carpenters and painters and will serve as a general contractor in coordinating the work being done. The job, always in the interest of the client, will have to be done on time and within budget.

With many interior design jobs, the designer is working on the client’s behalf in selecting materials as well as the contractors who will actually do the work. Once the designs have been accepted, meetings with the client will result in a budget and a time frame and the designer will have to track progress every step of the way. The ability to complete a job within budget and on time will provide the opportunity for additional interior design jobs.

Working as an interior designer is more than just understanding color and how to arrange furniture. Once a person has the education and experience, they can apply for testing through the National Council of Interior Design Qualification. This is an important step in their career as certification can lead to lucrative interior design jobs in the future.

Tags: home improvement, home renovation, interior design, interior designer, interior designing

Most people look for ways that they can enhance the look of their home. A complete remodel of our home is financially out of reach for most of us. Instead most of us find small pieces to add to our current decorating scheme. One thing that can enhance the look of almost any decorating style is the addition of wonderful indoor table fountains. 

Water features are a great addition to your homes style  
 
Water features are a great addition to any indoor or outdoor space. Often outdoor spaces call for the installation of a large fountain which can double as a birdbath or fish pond. Indoors we need to be a little bit more careful about our use of space. One of the simplest indoor fountain you can install in your office or home is an indoor table fountain. 
 
You can find units powered by either battery or electric power. The best feature of a battery powered model is that it can be placed just about anywhere without worrying about unsightly cords. They can be placed in the middle of the coffee or dining table without running an ugly cord. You will find a wide variety of styles of indoor table fountains. Electric powered models will need a little more additional maintenance when compared to battery powered models. Battery powered models are your best choice if they will be in a central location. 
 
When looking for indoor table fountains find one that matches the overall decorating style of your room. Your table fountain will look out of place if you select the wrong style. Look at the colors of the fabrics and other accessories around the room and find a fountain that will coordinate well. It does not need to be the same color as your other items but it should definitely look good next to them. Choosing a fountain that is in contrast to your other accessories will help to make it a focal point.

Tags: indoor table fountains

You can really improve your homes atmosphere with large indoor water fountains. A beautiful water fountain does not need to be in your yard any longer. Water fountains are now part of indoor decorating and their various styles and kinds make them a great addition to your indoor décor. There are many different reasons why people add fountains to their indoor areas. 
 
One great thing about an indoor water fountain is that they are very versatile. There are many of different choices in terms of style, design, shape, and size that it should not be hard to find just what you need. Lightweight materials are used to create many of the new large indoor water fountains which makes it easy to move them to a new part of your home. 
 
Many people love the look at a wall mounted indoor water fountain. They are usually light in weight and can be hung in almost any room. Large indoor water fountains also can use a variety of different power sources. They can be found in both batter and electric powered models. Large indoor water fountains are the perfect addition to your home without requiring much maintenance. There is not much you need to do so that your indoor water fountain working the way you want it. 
 
The only tasks you will have is occasionally adding water to keep it at the proper level and add a solution which will make it so you will not have algae in your fountain. With an indoor water fountain you are adding more than just something beautiful to look at. The sound of running water will bring peace and calm to almost any room in which you choose to install it. 
 
Whether your decorating style is contemporary or country you are sure to find a large indoor water fountain to match. Look around your home and figure out which room would most benefit from a wonderful fountain. 

Tags: indoor water fountains

The history of interior design stretches back to ancient times; as long as there have been homes to live in, elements of interior design have existed in some rudimentary form.  However, the major developments in the history of interior design were far apart and resulted in large changes almost at once.  What follows is a look at the history of interior design, from ancient times up to today.

Egyptian and Roman Times

In ancient times, there is evidence that interior designing was important to the Egyptians and Romans.  Of course, at this point in the history of interior design, it was restricted to the very wealthy.The evidence of this period in the history of interior design is in the architecture and in what records we have. From the Egyptians, we have lavishly decorated tombs for the pharaohs, which were designed both as a final resting place and to have comforts for the pharaoh in the next life.

From the Romans, we have evidence that they carefully planned their rooms around the way that they would be used, which is a key part of modern interior design.  Wealthy Romans, for instance, would have separate living rooms for summer and winter seasons, designed based on optimal comfort during the warm and cold months.Both the Romans an the Egyptians, of course, did take some care to participate in interior decorating as well, another important feature in interior design.

The Renaissance

The next major development in the history of interior designer came in the Italian Renaissance, when all arts experienced a surge in popularity, with wealthy patrons giving money to support the arts.  It was at this time that interior decorating and interior design began to resemble what it came to be in later years in the history of interior design.Rooms began to be designed around function and form, with some of the most prominent examples being the lavish interior designs of the palace at Versailles, an expression of royal decadence.  Still at this point in the history of interior design, such things were well out of reach of the average person.

The Industrial Revolution

The change in the history of interior designer that made it accessible to the common man was the Industrial Revolution, which both made cheaper goods possible for home decoration as well as created an economic revolution in the United States as middle-class families soon had extra money to put towards things such as interior design. This is the time where interior design magazines were developed, and the profession of interior designer really took hold, now its own industry by the start of the 21st century.  So, as you can see, the history of interior design was shaped by artistic, economic, and technological revolutions throughout history.

Tags: home improvement, home renovation, interior design, interior designer, interior designing

Home designs are continuously evolving as the needs and demands of consumers change and as iconoclastic designers capture our collective imagination with their creativity. Home interior trends are not quite as fickle as the fashion world, but there are subtle nuances that make each year fresh and rewarding for the professional interior designer.

Homes from the 1800s to early 1900s were special in that the home designs of large family estates were internally divided to create distinct environments. For instance, home owners had practical servant’s quarters on the lower level floors near the kitchen, whereas the family’s bedrooms were all situated upstairs. A powder room was often found downstairs and an en-suite bathroom was just off the parent’s master bath. The children often lived down a hallway and in their own separate quarter of the house, so the parents could have a bit of privacy and reprieve.

In some instances, a carriage house held the in laws or guests. This is a home interior trend that’s coming back for 2009, with second or third bedroom suites and added bathrooms increasing in popularity. “Buyers are saying, let’s put kids over here to one side to keep things quiet for parents or in-laws who will be moving in with them,” explains Kyle Lindsey, owner of Kyle Lindsey Custom Homes. These secondary suites are typically 300-400 square-feet with full bathrooms and occasional sitting rooms in an isolated section of the house, Lindsey adds.

Another home interior trend that will proliferate into 2009 is green, sustainable building and modifications, builders agree. “People are trying to save money wherever they can, building to higher energy standards and building green to save water and electricity,” admonishes Bob Weiss, executive VP for Kentucky Homebuilders. Many homeowners are trading in wall-to-wall carpets for recycled wood. TechShield radiant barrier roof decking, which reflects heat away from attics, is purchased by 98% of new home buyers in markets like San Antonio, where the sun beats down all day long, driving up air conditioning costs. Low VOC paint, which emits far less fumes than traditional paints, has become the standard. Spray foam insulation, energy efficient lighting, air circulation systems and insulating window coatings are a few of the eco-friendly interior design trends to look out for.

Any architect interior designer will tell you that the home interior vibe is all in the finishing touches: wall finishes, paint, flooring, countertops. These nuances can draw home owners in or leave them feeling discordant. John Friesenhahn of Imagine Homes says native rock and brick exteriors are classic choices, but home owners are looking for a little more color on their interiors. He says Silestone countertops offer a wide range of colors. Last year’s mocha and sage green paint colors will be traded in for mustard yellow and grassy greens. Allergen-proof, easy-to-clean and natural flooring is in this year too. High-end homes will see Italian mosaic tiles, travertine and porcelain. Dark exotic wood cabinetry became popular in 2008 and will continue as an interior design kitchen and bedroom staple throughout 2009.

Tags: architect interior designer, home designs, home interior, interior design jobs, interior design kitchen, interior design trends

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Are you redoing a tile floor in your current home or building a new home with a blank slate? Would you like to add something unique to the floor layout that will stand out more than typical tile patterns? Or, maybe you would like to add a mural to a wall outside the house? If so, then a granite medallion may be just what you’re looking for. Attractive and functional, granite medallions are also a flexible addition to your home.

What is a Granite Medallion?

You may have seen granite medallions on the floor in lobbies of office buildings or in some stores. A granite medallion is many pieces of granite assembled into a design. However, in this case the pieces of granite form one large, easy-to-install tile. These attractive granite tiles can work beyond office lobbies, functioning on a smaller-scale in more casual settings. Consider just a few of the places granite medallions show up and how you might translate that in your own house.

Where Should You Place a Granite Medallion?

Entryways and foyers are an excellent place for decorative tile. A granite medallion, whether in the center of the entrance or on a side wall, adds visual interest in an unexpected place and will be sure to catch any guest’s attention.

Kitchens are also a nice spot for a granite medallion. This addition would add a punch of color and statement in a monochromatic kitchen. But it’s also a way to include art in a space that’s often purely functional.

Bathrooms provide more than one opportunity for a granite medallion. The center of the room on the floor might be the perfect position, or the center of the shower floor or wall. Either way, it’s an interesting touch to a room that can be a challenge to decorate.

You can also install granite medallions outside. Create a terrace atmosphere on your patio or deck by installing a medallion on the patio itself or perhaps a path through the garden. Or, add one or more on a surrounding wall. Granite medallions are easy maintenance and can be a nice way to add art out-of-doors without having to worry about it.

If you have a pool with plans to change things up a bit or you’re installing a new one soon, consider a medallion for the pool floor. It’s an attractive view from in and out of the pool and again adds art to a space where there often isn’t any.

Remember that granite is a resilient material and will withstand even high-traffic areas. So don’t be afraid to install a granite medallion in parts of the house that get frequent use. Granite on its own is a low-maintenance, high-impact natural product.

So if you’re planning a tile renovation, or are starting from scratch, consider adding a granite medallion in your entryway or foyer, kitchen, bathroom or shower, patio or deck, or pool. It’s stunning, natural art that will make a statement in any setting.

Tags: granite, granite medallions, granite mosaics, granite mural

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If you’re replacing your sink, either as a small change to spruce up your kitchen or as one change of a larger overhaul, you may wonder what’s available. Stainless steel sinks are one of the more popular types of kitchen sinks today. The variety may be overwhelming, but when boiled down there are really only a few basic options. Before you shop, take a look at the break down below of what you can expect to find at your local kitchen showroom.

Stainless Steel Sink Basics

Top Mount or Undermount sinks. Top mount sinks have an exposed lip that prevents water from running off onto the countertop. These are used frequently with tile and laminate countertops but can work with any. Undermount sinks are mounted under the countertop. They are commonly seen with granite countertops. This look is seamless and classy. Undermount sinks are available in all types, including single, double and triple bowl size.

Heavy duty stainless steel single bowl sinks. These sinks are one large, stainless steel bowl. They may be rectangular or round, small or large. Single bowls can be good for cleaning up dishes and work well for smaller sinks, including bar size. If you do not need a lot of room for doing dishes, a single bowl will be just right.

Double bowl sinks. These come in equal as well as offset variations. Equal double bowls are two bowls of the same size, side-by-side. Offset double bowls include one large bowl and one smaller bowl connected to it. Double bowls can be good for separating dishes or work spaces. In offset double, the smaller bowl can be used for food preparation, and the larger bowl can be used for cleanup.

Heavy duty triple bowl stainless steel sinks. Triple bowl stainless sinks may include three bowls of varying sizes – one large, one medium, and one small. They’re all connected to each other and feature separate drains. You will need a fair amount of kitchen countertops space for this size of sink. You’ll want to consider that two of the bowls are relatively small and may not function the way you need. If you’re desperate for sink space, you may want to consider adding a separate, smaller sink in another part of the kitchen.

Bar sinks. Bar sinks are typically smaller, single bowl sinks. They're good for bars but will work well as a secondary sink in the kitchen as well. Bar sinks make a nice addition to an island.

Round sinks. You will probably come across rectangular or square sinks, although round sinks do exist as well. Horseshoe shape kitchen sinks are available, if you want something that isn't quite round or rectangular.

These are just a few of the basic sink types you'll see in a hardware store. Again, your basic choices include top mount or undermount sinks, single bowl, double bowl, triple bowl, bar size, and round (or other shapes). Choose the style you need according to your countertop space and what you will generally be using it for. Whatever you choose, you’ll no doubt benefit from the style and function of stainless steel.

Tags: bar sinks, double bowl sinks, kitchen sinks, round sinks, single bowl sinks, triple bowl sinks